OpenAI parts ways with three safety researchers it says mishandled sensitive information

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that OpenAI has parted ways with three researchers on its safety team who allegedly shared confidential company information with a third-party AI safety organization. In a statement to the Journal, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company had "parted ways with three individuals for violating our policies on accessing and handling sensitive company information." The spokesperson added that an internal investigation confirmed they "mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures." The report did not name the researchers, the organization or the information involved, and OpenAI did not immediately respond to TechCrunch's request for comment. Posts on X have named people some users believe were among those dismissed and who had publicly raised concerns about AI risk. TechCrunch says it has not confirmed their identities. The departures come two days after The New York Times reported that OpenAI executives had brushed aside employees' warnings about the company's safety practices. Employees told the Times about a broader pattern of security being deprioritized. OpenAI told the Times that it takes security concerns seriously and has internal channels for reporting safety issues. The dismissals come while OpenAI faces outside scrutiny over its agents' behavior and its recent decisions to pause or cancel model training.